2009 February

February 27, 2009

Tracy Porter Inspiration Fascination: Tracy & Sarah share their dreams of the garden with you (soul sisters that you are)

Some of us dream in diamonds… others of shoes… some of gold. We… not so much. We dream in GARDEN. It’s our number one topic… infinite conversation… Now we aren’t just talking about dirt and shovels and Latin names for every species… We’re taking about gardening on a far grander scale. The textures, the fragrance, the sketches, the tear sheets, the architecture, the fantasy of it all. We always say that when we retire, the greenhouse will go up… and we’ll spend our days happily starting herbs from seed… and propagating fruit trees into espaliers… You see, it’s this kind of talk that feeds our souls. We have young families that need tending… therefore the weeds in the perennial border will have to wait for another day, another moment… the boxwoods that need mulching… the cedars that need trimming… the woodlands that need an under planting of spring bulbs… All for another day… BUT, at least we can chatter with you about it while all our gardens sleep under a drift of white.

Join Sarah and me as we lead an inspired discussion on ways that we love to bring gardening in… in every way… that we can…

* Bring the outdoors in… garden urns, sculpture, tables, benches… an instant wintry fix

* Garden books, tear sheets, journals

* Sketches & notes… garden dreams take many forms

* Garden d’ objets of any kind… (one of my weaknesses happens to be miniature paper pulp seed pots

Dreams from the Garden!

xoxo,
Tracy & Sarah

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Labels: inspiration fascination, nature's inspirations

February 27, 2009

Snippets in the REAL: Tracy Porter reality videos! Tracy Porter craft project – a lovely journal from the heart!!

Any excuse to create something simple and lovely… To capture a moment… To spark a memory. Beautiful journals are fun to keep on hand… With a few art supplies (watercolors, monogram stickers, pretty papers)… an hour of freedom can turn into an hour of creative bliss. I made this darling journal for my love, John… Think I’ll make more for some upcoming birthdays on my list… Don’t you think this is divine?! Have you ever made one? Is there someone in your life who would love one?! Surely!!! Tell us what you’d include… the ideas keep us invigorated!!! To you, darlings… and all of your creative musings!! Kisses to all… T.

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Labels: books and such, make & create, snippets in the real

February 26, 2009

Snippets in the REAL: Tracy Porter reality videos! Homemade Pasta – Egg Noodles ala MAX!!!

Just a fun clip of our wintry Saturday night family activity… We made homemade pasta!! Such a treat from start to finish… I so love when a family activity can blend effortlessly into dinnertime…! You see, it snowed about 6” on Saturday… There wasn’t a chance we would think of leaving… so a cooking activity for all to partake in was just perfect! We all mixed, fed, cut, and hung the dough… I love mine with butter, salt and pepper, and a sprinkle of some Parmesan / Romano cheese to top it off… We also made some red sauce on the side which was simply scrumptious. If you don’t have this fabulous contraption for your Kitchen Aid mixer… it’s worth the investment. You may never want to eat anything else!!

(Click here for Tracy Porter’s printable recipe!)

EGG NOODLE PASTA

4 large eggs
1 Tbsp. water
3-1/2 C. sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt

Place eggs, water, and flour in mixer bowl. Attach bowl and flat beater. Turn to Speed 2 and mix for 30 seconds.

Remove flat beater and attach dough hook. Turn to Speed 2 and knead 2 minutes.

Hand knead dough for about a minute. Cover with dry towel and let rest 15 minutes before extruding through pasta maker.

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Labels: eating & gathering, snippets in the real

February 26, 2009

Tracy Porter craft project: Monograms are the perfect personalized GIFT idea!

Don’t you love to receive a gift that seems as though the “gifter” has thought painstakingly through every single detail… The gift itself, the wrapping, the origin (the shoppe, the market, the website, the travels, the memory)… the very idea of it is way more meaningful if it feels as though it was chosen just for YOU. So why not be the most amazing gifter in your circle!!!! (We all want lots of oohs and ahhhs from the crowd, don’t we?!) So take a page out of my gift notebook and get your hands on some simple crafter’s MONOGRAMS… stickers, appliqués, charms, decals… they’re the best!!!! I use them all the time… effortlessly chic… marvelously personal!

I’m sure we all keep lots of dates in our calendars that deserve a personalized gift… Be inspired to create the next time you’re in need:

* Anniversaries
* Birthdays
* Hostess gifts
* Thank You gifts
* Mother’s Day
* Easter

Happy personalizing… Make someone soulfully happy!!!

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Labels: make & create

February 25, 2009

Snippets in the REAL: Tracy Porter reality videos – Tracy Porter quick craft entertaining project!

I know you love the details as much as I do… It just makes any moment that much more interesting!!! So here’s a quickie craft project for you… amazing to have on hand the next time you entertain. Only three ingredients required: shells, a spot of hot glue, and tiny millinery flowers. You and your guests can delight in having your own personal salt & pepper, right at your place setting… Oh, rapture!!!

Five seconds… So fast, so fabulous!!!

What ideas do you have to pamper your dinner guests? Do share… We so love to hear!!!

xoxo,
T.

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Labels: eating & gathering, make & create, snippets in the real

February 25, 2009

Tracy Porter Decorating DIY: Crafting a vintage suitcase into a charming SHELF!!

We treasure hunters (you, me… and most women we know) love to bring quirky new treasures into the mix… some were meant to be; others… their purpose yet to be discovered. So alas, the story of the vintage suitcase. I picked her up for a few bucks at a flea market years ago… And she’s rested in our guest room with a stack of magazines atop. Beautiful decorating prop… But I am in need of another interesting place to vignette. So hello darlings, meet my new perch A craft / decorating project rolled into one!! I simply lined the suitcase with interesting newspapers from our travels… “antiqued” it with a wash of gold paint… And attached it to the wall with some screws (thank you, John, my love)… Can you handle how darling this project is?!?! An enchanting little spot to display trinkets and treasures… And only a moment to whirl it together!!! A fantasy project in no time, girls!!!

My eclectic mix includes:

* Books (of course, right!!! LOL)
* A framed little painting (or two)
* Charming figurines
* A good dose of whimsy
* A dash of color
* A warm little rug to anchor the setting
* Something leopard (I know now that you love it too…)

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Labels: make & create, soulful nesting & decorating

February 24, 2009

Tracy Porter Petite Blue Cheesecakes

OK my loves… you know I am always trying to create the next most luscious have-to-have recipe to share with you! My goal is that you are able to make these recipes easily and share them with your loved ones… and have YOU take all the credit! I think it is so important to have success in the kitchen to be inspired to want to explore further! I am hopeful that this blue cheesecake recipe will be one that you will pass on to everyone that you know, and that it will be a recipe you will be able to make and enchant with at any gathering.

I am a crazy person for cheese… namely very odiferous cheeses… the more smelly, oouuuuuuzy and gamey it is, the more Mrs. Tracy Porter is in love with it! Now… blue cheese falls on the quiet side for me… but I adore it in all its various forms. I think blue cheese is an essential ingredient to have in the refrigerator at all times! It is ideal for sprinkling on nearly anything… (don’t get to close to my kitchen, darling, or you too may get sprinkled with some blue cheese!) Well… now let’s get down and dirty… to take blue cheese and cook with it is just the next most obvious place to go… onward! I have developed a lovely succulent blue cheese cake recipe that is to die for… if I do say so myself! Over–the-top decadent… we should all enjoy a bit of decadence now and again! Indulge yourself with this blue cheesecake recipe and do let me know… Do you love the combination of the gingersnap crust with the tang and warmth of the blue cheese…? Did the gingersnap crust even make it into your pan? (Mine barely did…) We prefer these blue cheesecakes served warm and eaten the same day, but… in our home leftovers also have a place in my heart!

(Click here for Tracy Porter’s printable recipe!)

TRACY PORTER PETITE BLUE CHEESECAKES

GINGERSNAP CRUST
3 ounces gingersnap cookies (should equal 3/4 C. of crumbs)
2/3 C. yellow raisins
1/2 C. pecans
3 Tbsp. butter (melted) + 1 Tbsp. to butter muffin cups

BLUE CHEESECAKE
3 ounces blue cheese (crumble by hand)
1-1/2 Tbsp. shallots, finely minced
1-1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
12 ounces cream cheese (room temp)
2 eggs
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp. rosemary, finely chopped
3 Tbsp. honey
1/4 C. sour cream

Preheat oven to 325F degrees. Lightly butter each cup of 12 cup mini muffin tin. If your mini muffin pan does NOT have removable bottoms, I would recommend using paper cups in each cup.

Put all gingersnap crust ingredients (except butter) into food processor. Chop until thoroughly mixed and resembles a pasty crumb mixture. Once finely chopped, add in butter and whirl gingersnap crust again until combined. Divide gingersnap crumb mixture equally amongst all mini muffin cups. Press down firmly and bake at 325F for 8 minutes. Reset oven to 300F when the crust is done.

Beat all blue cheesecake ingredients (except eggs) together in mixer. Once all blue cheesecake ingredients are thoroughly combined, add eggs and continue to mix until well blended. Divide the filling amongst the 12 cups; fill about 3/4 full.

Bake for 30 minutes or until mostly set. Look for the cheesecake to have nicely browned edges. They will look puffed up and luscious. Remove cheesecakes from oven and cool for 30 minutes while still in the muffin pan. These are impossibly decadent with a good glass of white wine and a simple, elegant side salad.

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Labels: eating & gathering

February 24, 2009

Snippets in the REAL: Tracy Porter reality videos… Tracy Porter shares her medicine cabinet secrets with you!

How could a girl possibly have this many obsessions, I ask you?! I just can’t seem to help myself… I’m inspired by EVERYTHING!!!!!! Join me as I share my medicine cabinet secrets with you… Such fun for a hostess… sheer delight for a guest. A splendid excuse to pamper and delight anyone who has made the journey to stay with you. Consider my favorite lotions and potions, basics, and eccentricities the next time you’re ready to welcome someone dear to your heart… Have fun and, as always… do share your favorites… We want to know so that we can improve our own!!!

Kisses,
T.

1. Anything mini… so charming & they yearn to be opened

2. Freebies from hotels… You already know I pocket every last one… just for this alone!!!

3. Fluffy white towels

4. Pretty soaps & oils

5. Sewing kits

6. Lotions and potions, scrubs and powders, lathers and slathers… Oh such fun… like a private spa!!!

7. Cotton everything…. tips, wipes, pads… so fresh and appealing!!

8. Mints and candies

9. Pastes and floss… fresh brushes and rinses

10. Combs and brushes, ponytail holders…

11. Pretty presentation… so charming… so thoughtful… so pampering!!!

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Labels: smashing fashion & beauty, snippets in the real

February 23, 2009

Five Minute Fashion

Oh, girls… you are going to soooo love this quickie five-minute fashion tip. You know me well enough by now to know that my mind is always open… always curious… always up for ANYTHING fresh and new. Well… isn’t it satisfying to find new ways to enjoy things that you already love?! This idea is going to have you running around your house looking for table scarves and throws… to use as a chic shoulder wrap!! Really!!! Can you handle how completely sublime this is?!?!

…as Diana Vreeland once said, “The only real elegance is in the mind; if you’ve got that, the rest really comes from it.” You CAN pull this off girls… Allow the curiosity within to take you to a new level today!!

Cheers to the absolute joy of discovery!!

xoxo,
Tracy

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Labels: be extraordinary, smashing fashion & beauty

February 23, 2009

Snippets in the REAL: Tracy Porter reality videos… Tracy Porter encourages you to PAMPER yourself!

I so had to capture my wildly exciting carpe diem recently… I had an afternoon filled with some of my favorite things… you can only image my delight. (Well, you’ll be able to hear it in my voice as you watch our video.) The lesson I learned is simple and I want to shout it from the rooftops: SPOIL YOURSELF!!! DON’T WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO!!! MAKE EVERY LITTLE MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE, IN YOUR DAY TRULY MAGICAL. It’s up to you… And I know that like the rest of us… you certainly deserve more pampering!!!

Take a look at my ingredients for a wonderfully inspired afternoon… Tell us girls, what’s on your list?

1. Anchovies & tomatoes
2. Research… glorious research
3. Recipes from my taste buds; from my soul
4. Writing, writing, writing
5. Pretty pajama pants and slippers
6. Chocolate truffles
7. 12,000 books… Stacks of books, cook books, and more cook books….
8. A warm, dancing fireplace
9. Opera singing (smile)
10. Invigorating, infinite inspiration… (You can tell by the “clip of my gait” that when I’m inspired… I’m simply out of my body!!!)

Here’s to you!!

Kisses,
T.

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Labels: be extraordinary, snippets in the real

February 20, 2009

Inspiration Fascination: Pattern, luscious PATTERN!!

Ah, yes… we could literally drink it in each day… Pattern, luscious pattern. It works its magic in such a powerful way… Instantly adds visual delight… stirs the senses and allows all the rules to fall away. And we know we all need more of that in our lives, now don’t we?! We are addicted… fanatics… spellbound… Join the banter as we explore some of our favorite ways to get more colorful pattern into all of our lives.

Drink it in, lap it up… Lose yourself in its allure…

Kisses + lovely chatter…

Tracy & Sarah

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Labels: be extraordinary, inspiration fascination

February 20, 2009

Do you ever… make fortunes for your darlings?

A dose of good fortune… wishes of well… flirtatious adoration… I so love to give (and get) them… such fun! A simple little project that can turn any casual moment into an event. I like to make them with the kids… (Click here for the tins!) The combinations and patterns are lively… and the sentiments loaded with even more folly. We pop a little treat (aka chocolate) inside… and we’re off……

Join the lighthearted fun!!!

Kisses,
Tracy

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Labels: do you ever..., make & create, snippets in the real

February 19, 2009

An artful collage

Combining memories in a lovely way is such a wonderful project… and adds such a creative personality to your home. In a just a few moments… with an armload of treasures and pretties… you can create an artful collage that will summon you to smile and reflect over and over again. Such an amazing conversation piece; such an individual expression of yourself… do take a moment to capture something beautiful.

* An interesting frame the more character, the better (your canvas, if you will…)

* Notes and letters; fortunes and moments recalled…

* Postcards

* Bits and bobs… snippets and more snippets

* Photos… new, old… and any in between

* Tattered pieces of ribbon… faded flowers

* Lots of love and a heart full of wonder

xoxo,
T.

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Labels: make & create, soulful nesting & decorating

February 19, 2009

Snippets in the REAL: Oh Happy Day!

A stolen moment with Gus… nibbling on muffins, sipping (spilling) tea… Dreaming of the garden as the idea of spring lingers in our minds… Do join us as we giggle our way through this snippet of weekend life… You, me… and our little (big) G.

Kisses from the country,

Tracy & Gus

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Labels: nature's inspirations, snippets in the real

February 18, 2009

My passion for flowers… a true love

Extraordinary from ordinary… it’s just my thing, I guess… You know me… always looking for yet another outlet to mess around and be creative. Flowers. Glorious flowers… Such an indulgence… so simple… so simply divine. Allow a beautiful sprig of posies to be transformed into wonderfulness… No magic wand required…

A few tips to lusciousness…

* perfume bottles
* teacups… I do love them so…
* a box, a basket, a bowl, or urn
* secret ingredient: Spanish moss darlings, Spanish moss…
* a spot of water…
* …and a heart filled with beauty

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Labels: nature's inspirations, soulful nesting & decorating